Oral irrigator with back flow prevention

ABSTRACT

An oral irrigator with back flow prevention is described. The oral irrigator may include a reservoir, a base, a handle, and a one-way or unidirectional valve. The base may support the reservoir and include a pump fluidly connected to the reservoir. The handle may be positioned external the base and in fluid communication with the pump via a hose. The valve may be positioned external the base to inhibit or seal fluid from flowing from a downstream side of the valve toward the pump.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation application of U.S.Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 15/923,744 entitled “Oral IrrigatorHandle for Use with Oral Agent,” filed on Mar. 16, 2018, which claimspriority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to U.S. Provisional Application No.62/472,438 entitled “Oral Irrigator Handle for Use with Oral Agent,”filed on Mar. 16, 2017 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/516,227filed on Jun. 7, 2017 entitled “Oral Irrigator Handle for Use with OralAgent,” all of which are incorporated by reference, herein, in theirentireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to health and personal hygieneequipment and more particularly, to oral irrigators.

BACKGROUND

Oral irrigators are used to clean a user's teeth and gums by discharginga pressurized fluid stream into a user's oral cavity. The fluid impactsthe teeth and gums to remove debris. In some instances it may bedesirable to add a supplemental agent to the fluid, in order to enhancethe user experience and cleaning experience. However, many oralirrigators do not include features that easily integrate a supplementalagent into the fluid stream.

The information included in this Background section of thespecification, including any references cited herein and any descriptionor discussion thereof, is included for technical reference purposes onlyand is not to be regarded as subject matter by which the scope of theinvention as defined in the claims is to be bound.

SUMMARY

An oral irrigator handle and tip for use with an oral hygiene agent aredisclosed herein. The agent is received in a chamber positioned in theflow path such that fluid flowing through the handle impacts the agentand carries portions of the agent downstream towards a fluid outlet. Ascreen positioned between the chamber and the fluid outlet helps preventlarger portions or pieces of the agent from clogging the path to theoutlet. An outlet valve upstream of the chamber helps prevent fluid thathas contacted the agent from flowing towards the fluid source. In oneexemplary embodiment, the chamber is positioned in the handle and amovable lid provides access to the chamber. In another exemplaryembodiment, the chamber is positioned in a tip that is fluidly coupledto the handle.

In another embodiment, an oral irrigator is disclosed. The oralirrigator includes a housing having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet anda chamber housing positioned within the housing between the fluid inletand the fluid outlet, the chamber housing defines an agent chamber forreceiving an oral agent therein. The oral irrigator also includes a lidpivotably coupled to the housing and in a closed position, the lid atleast partially covers the agent chamber and in an open position, thelid uncovers the agent chamber.

In another embodiment, an oral irrigator device is disclosed. The oralirrigator device includes a pump in fluid communication with areservoir, a handle in fluid communication with the pump, and a tipremovably coupled to the handle. The handle also includes an agenthousing defining an agent chamber, the agent housing including a chamberinlet and a chamber outlet in fluid communication with the agentchamber, a chamber valve positioned between the reservoir and thechamber inlet, and a cover coupled to the handle and positionablebetween an open position uncovering the chamber and a closed position atleast partially covering the chamber. The tip, when coupled to thehandle, is in fluid communication with the chamber outlet, such thatfluid exiting the chamber, will flow into the tip.

In yet another embodiment, an oral hygiene system including the oralirrigator device and an oral agent tablet is disclosed. In thisembodiment, the agent chamber has a chamber diameter that may be largerthan the tablet diameter, such as by 20-30% larger. For example, in oneembodiment, the table diameter is between 80 to 95% the length of thechamber diameter.

In another embodiment, an oral irrigator with back flow prevention isdisclosed. The oral irrigator may include a reservoir, a base, a handle,and a one-way or unidirectional valve. The base may support thereservoir and include a pump fluidly connected to the reservoir. Thehandle may be positioned external the base and in fluid communicationwith the pump via a hose. The valve may be positioned external the baseto inhibit or seal fluid from flowing from a downstream side of thevalve toward the pump.

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This Summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended tobe used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. A moreextensive presentation of features, details, utilities, and advantagesof the present invention as defined in the claims is provided in thefollowing written description of various embodiments of the inventionand illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a front isometric view of an oral irrigator with integratedoral agent compartment.

FIG. 1B is a front right isometric view of a handle of the oralirrigator of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2A is a front elevation view of the handle of FIG. 1B.

FIG. 2B is a right elevation view of the handle of FIG. 1B.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the handle of FIG. 1B.

FIG. 4A is a cross section view of the handle of FIG. 1B along line 4-4in FIG. 2B.

FIG. 4B is a partial cross section view of the handle of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 4C is a partial cross section view of the handle of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 5A is a cross section view of the handle of FIG. 1B along line 5-5in FIG. 2A with a pause assembly activated.

FIG. 5B is a cross section view of a handle according to anotherembodiment with a pause assembly activated.

FIG. 5C is a cross section view of the handle of FIG. 5B with a pauseassembly deactivated.

FIG. 6A is a rear isometric view of a first shell of the handle of FIG.1B.

FIG. 6B is a front right isometric view of a second shell of the handleof FIG. 1B.

FIG. 7A is a front isometric view of a tip for use with the oralirrigator handle.

FIG. 7B is an exploded view of the tip of FIG. 7A.

FIG. 7C is an enlarged cross-section view of the tip of FIG. 7A.

FIG. 8A is a right elevation view of a cover assembly of the handle ofFIG. 1B.

FIG. 8B is a plan view of the cover assembly of FIG. 8A with a tipinserted therein.

FIG. 9 is a bottom isometric view of a lid of the cover assembly of FIG.8A.

FIG. 10 is a front right isometric view of select components of thecover assembly of FIG. 8A.

FIG. 11 is a rear right exploded view of select of the cover assembly ofFIG. 8A.

FIG. 12 is a partial enlarged cross section view of the lid and chamberbody of the handle of FIG. 5A with a tip connected to the handle and anoral agent tablet positioned within the chamber.

FIG. 13A is a front elevation view of a chamber body of the handle ofFIG. 1B.

FIG. 13B is a top isometric view of the chamber body.

FIG. 13C is a bottom isometric view of the chamber body.

FIG. 14A is a right isometric view of a pause valve assembly of thehandle of FIG. 1B.

FIG. 14B is a rear isometric view of the pause valve assembly of FIG.14A.

FIG. 15 is a right rear isometric view of select components of the pausevalve assembly of FIG. 14A.

FIG. 16A is a front isometric view of an upper valve body of the pausevalve assembly of FIG. 14A.

FIG. 16B is a bottom isometric view of the upper valve body of FIG. 16A.

FIG. 16C is a front isometric view of an upper valve body according toanother embodiment.

FIG. 17A is front top isometric view of a lower valve body of the pausevalve assembly of FIG. 14A.

FIG. 17B is a front bottom isometric view of the lower valve body ofFIG. 17A.

FIG. 18 is a top isometric view of a shuttle retainer of the pause valveassembly of FIG. 14A.

FIG. 19 is a front isometric view of a shuttle valve of the pause valveassembly of FIG. 14A.

FIG. 20 is a front top isometric view of a poppet assembly of the pausevalve assembly of FIG. 14A.

FIG. 21 is a front top isometric view of a retaining ring of the pausevalve assembly of FIG. 14A.

FIG. 22 is a front isometric view of a valve base of the handle of FIG.1B.

FIG. 23A is front top isometric view of an integrated valve base of thehandle of FIG. 5B.

FIG. 23B is front bottom isometric view of the integrated valve base ofFIG. 23A.

FIG. 24A is a front right isometric view of the handle of FIG. 1B withthe lid in an open position.

FIG. 24B is a top plan view of the handle of FIG. 24A.

FIG. 25A is an isometric view of a tip with an integrated oral hygieneagent chamber.

FIG. 25B is an exploded view of the tip of FIG. 25A.

FIG. 25C is a cross-sectional view of the tip of FIG. 25A.

FIG. 26A is a front elevation view of another embodiment of the oralirrigator handle.

FIG. 26 B is a side view of the oral irrigator handle of FIG. 26A.

FIG. 26C is a rear elevation view of a housing component of the oralirrigator of FIG. 26A.

FIG. 27 is a cross-section view of the oral irrigator handle of FIG. 26Ataken along line 27-27 in FIG. 26A.

FIG. 28 is an exploded view of a latch assembly for the irrigator handleof FIG. 26A.

FIG. 29A is a top plan view of a latch for the cover assembly of FIG.28.

FIG. 29B is a bottom plan view of the latch of FIG. 29A.

FIG. 30 is a side isometric view of a cap for the oral irrigator of FIG.26A.

FIG. 31 is a cross-section view of the cap of FIG. 30 taken along line31-31 in FIG. 30.

FIG. 32 is an enlarged view of the cross section of FIG. 27.

FIG. 33 is an isometric view of a seal retainer for the oral irrigatorof FIG. 26A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present application is generally directed towards an oral irrigatorhandle and system that can receive an agent, such as a tablet, pill,powder, gel, slurry, or the like, and dispense the agent into a user'soral cavity. The agent may be an oral hygiene agent or other type ofadditive that can be introduced into and travel with fluid. In oneembodiment, fluid flows into the handle from a hose connected to areservoir or base and into a chamber within the handle housing or withinthe tip and out the tip outlet. In another embodiment, the handleconnects directly to the reservoir and forms a hand held oral irrigator.In either embodiment, when an agent is inserted into the chamber, thefluid flowing into the chamber acts to move the agent, particles of theagent, or otherwise mixes with the agent, to transport at least aportion of the agent along with the fluid through the tip and into auser's oral cavity. In some embodiments, the agent is a tablet, which isabraded by the fluid to loosen particles that travel within the fluidtowards the user's gums and teeth. In these embodiments, the particlesact as an abrasive or cleaning agent on the surfaces of the user's teethand/or gums.

The agent chamber may be positioned at varying locations between thereservoir and the tip outlet, depending on the type of agent and/or tipbeing used. In some embodiments, the agent chamber is positioned withinthe handle, such as towards an upper end of the handle adjacent the tipinsertion location. The agent chamber may include a lid or other memberused to selectively access the chamber to allow a user to position theagent within the chamber and secure the agent within the chamber duringuse. The lid may include one or more sealing elements to ensure that thefluid and/or agent does not leak around the opening to the chamber. Insome embodiments, the lid may include a latch that secures the lid tothe chamber in the closed position and assists in sealing the perimeterof the opening to the chamber. The latch can be activated by a user toallow a user to place the oral agent into the chamber. In someembodiments, the enclosed chamber may be defined by an agent housingwithin the handle, as well as a lid for the handle, and a tip assemblyconnected to the lid. In this manner, the chamber will open to allow auser to insert the agent, by opening the lid.

In other embodiments, the agent chamber may be integrated into the tipitself and removable from the handle. In these embodiments, the agentchamber is positioned between a bottom end of the tip (which can beinserted into the handle) and a top end of the tip that provides anoutlet into the user's oral cavity.

A screen or filter may be positioned over the outlet of the agentchamber. The screen helps to prevent the tip from clogging by ensuringthat particles over a predetermined threshold size do not pass from thechamber to the tip. For example, in embodiments where the oral agent isa tablet, the screen may be sized to prevent large particles that breakoff from the tablet from passing through. Similarly, a check valve maybe positioned between the inlet of the chamber and the hose to preventthe agent particles from traveling back into the handle, pump, or thelike, that could cause damage to various components.

The oral irrigator may also include a pause valve for pausing fluid flowto the tip. In some embodiments, the pause valve may be positionedwithin the handle between the outlet valve of the agent chamber and thehose inlet to the handle. The pause valve is used to selectively stopfluid flow through the tip and allows a user to reposition the handlewithin his or her mouth without having to power off the oral irrigator.

In many instances, many of the components of the oral irrigator handlemay be manufactured from plastic to reduce costs, increasemanufacturability, reduce corrosion, and maintain an aesthetic appeal.However, in other embodiments, the components may be constructed out ofother materials.

Components of the Oral Irrigator

Turning to the figures, an oral irrigator including a chamber for anoral hygiene agent will now be discussed in more detail. FIG. 1Aillustrates an isometric view of an oral irrigator including a handlewith an agent chamber. FIG. 1B is an isometric view of the handle ofFIG. 1A. It should be noted that in some embodiments, the chamber may bepositioned upstream of the reservoir and downstream of the tip outlet.

With reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B, the oral irrigator 10 may include ahandle 100, a reservoir 12, a base 14, and a hose 108, all of which maybe interconnected together. The base 14 may include a pump 16 fluidlyconnected to the reservoir 12 that pumps fluid from the reservoir 12 toa tip 104. One or more controls 18 a, 18 b are coupled to the base andconfigured to vary a flow rate or a fluid pressure produced by the pump16, and/or may activate a particular mode. e.g., cleaning mode, producedby the pump 16. The base 14 and pump 16 may be similar to the base andpump illustrated in U.S. Publication No. 2015/0004559 entitled “OralIrrigator with Integrated Lid and Base,” filed on Mar. 13, 2014, whichis incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In otherembodiments, the handle may enclose the pump and other components andconnect directly to the reservoir, in these embodiments, the handle mainform a main housing for the device. The reservoir and pump in thehandheld version may be similar to those shown in U.S. Pat. No.7,147,468 entitled “Hand Held Oral Irrigator,” granted on Dec. 12, 2006and incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

The Handle

The handle 100 is fluidly connected to the pump 16 and reservoir 12 andcan be held by a user to direct fluid into the user's mouth. Withreference to FIGS. 1B-3, the handle 100 may generally include a housing102, a tip 104, a cover assembly 122, an agent assembly 123, a pausevalve assembly 142, a swivel assembly 143, and fluid connectors 109,each of which are discussed in turn below.

The fluid connectors 109, such as the hose 108 and fluid fitting 107,fluidly connect the handle 100 to the reservoir 12. However, ininstances where the irrigator is a handheld unit, the fluid fitting 107and/or hose 108 may be omitted or may be varied as the reservoir 12 maybe directly connected to the handles.

The tip 104 is connected to a top end of the handle 100 and may beremovable from the handle 100 or integrated therewith. The tip 104 isconfigured to be inserted into a user's mouth and to expel fluid, aswell as the agent, against a user's teeth, gums, tongue, etc. Forexample, the tip 104 may include a nozzle shaped outlet 105 at the endto expel a jet of liquid. It should be noted that the tip outlet 105 maybe varied in shape depending on the desired fluid stream, as well as thetype of agent that may be used with the oral irrigator unit 10 (e.g.,the outlet 105 size may increase in instances where the agent includessolid particles as compared to instances where the agent is a liquid orgel). The tip is discussed in more detail below with respect to FIGS.7A-7C.

With reference to FIGS. 2A-6B, the handle housing 102 will now bediscussed in more detail. The handle housing 102 may be an integratedcomponent or as shown in FIGS. 2A-6A, may include a first shell 114 anda second shell 116 coupled together (e.g., through ultrasonic welding,fasteners, adhesive, or the like). Each of the first and second shells114, 116 may be constructed of a rigid material that resistsdeformation, such as a hard plastic, but it should be noted that variousother materials may be used as well. Additionally, the handle housing102 may include an aesthetically pleasing shape that may conform to auser's hand and may include one or more gripping elements.

With reference to FIGS. 6A and 6B, when connected together, the firstand second shells 114, 116 define a handle cavity 172 in whichcomponents of the handle 100, such as the cover assembly 122, pausevalve assembly 142, swivel assembly 143, and a portion of the hose 108,reside. To this end, each of the first and second shells 114, 116 mayinclude a plurality of structural features for aligning, receiving,retaining, and/or supporting components of the handle 100 within thehandle cavity 172. The features may include ledges 150 a, 150 b,vertical support walls 148 a, 148 b, and pegs 169. The ledges 150 a, 150b may generally extend outwardly from an interior wall 174 a, 174 b ofthe first or second shell 114, 116 so as to extend into the handlecavity 172. Pairs of ledges 150 a, 150 b in each shell 114, 116 areconfigured to align with one another to define the structural featureswhen the handle 100 is assembled. For example, ledges 150 a of the firstshell 114 may align with a mating ledge 150 b of the second shell 116when the handle 100 is assembled.

With continued reference to FIGS. 6A and 6B, one or more pegs 169 mayextend from the interior wall 174 of one of the shells 114, 116 (e.g.,in the depicted embodiment, the second shell 116). Each peg 169 mayextend beyond a plane defined by a circumferential edge of the firstshell 114 and be adapted to mate with a corresponding boss defining anaperture 170 of the opposing shell 114, 116. The pegs 169 and theapertures 170 may be dimensioned such that each peg 169 will fit snuglywithin its corresponding hole 170. The friction resulting from this fitmay resist decoupling of the shells 114, 116, as well as assisting inalignment of the shells 114, 116 during manufacture. Alternativelyand/or additionally, the first and second shells 114, 116 may be joinedusing glue, epoxy, fasteners, ultrasonic welding, any other known methodfor joining two items, or by a combination of known methods.

With reference to FIG. 6A, the first shell 114 may include variousapertures and/or recesses for buttons and latches of the handle. Forexample, the first shell 114 may include a button aperture 152 forreceiving a latch button 110. As shown in FIG. 6A, the button aperture152 is oval-shaped, but may be any shape configured to correspond to theshape of the latch button 110. When the handle 100 is assembled, thelatch button 110 is received within the button aperture 152. Withreference again to FIGS. 2A and 6A, the first shell 114 may also includea pause actuator aperture 204 for receiving a pause actuator 112 and arecessed pause actuator frame 390. The pause actuator aperture 204 andactuator frame 390 generally corresponds to the shape of the pauseactuator 112 and in some embodiments may be oblong or oval-shaped andelongated along the longitudinal axis of the handle, having an upperportion 392 and a lower portion 394. With reference to FIGS. 6A, 24A,and 24B, a catch aperture 154 for receiving a latch catch 212 may bedefined in the first shell 114, in some embodiments, the catch aperture154 may be positioned directly above the button aperture 152 or evenformed within the button aperture (see FIG. 26C) and both may bepositioned towards a top end of the handle shell 114. The positioning ofthe latch, button, and catch apertures may be varied as desired and tocorrespond with the latch and pause assemblies.

With reference to FIGS. 6A and 6B, an upper surface 207 of each of thefirst and second shells 114, 116 may include one or more ledges or steps205 a, 205 b, 205 c, 205 d, 205 e that receive and mate with variouscomponents of the agent assembly 123 and/or the cover assembly 122, suchas a lid 118, a trim ring 474, or a spring 492. The steps 205 a, 205 b,205 c, 205 d, 205 e provide structural support to various components andmay be shaped and dimensioned as desired.

With reference to FIG. 6B, the second shell 116 is generallysubstantially similar to the first shell 114, but may include one ormore hinge features, such as posts or knuckles 206 that allow the coverassembly to connect and rotate relative thereto. In one embodiment, theknuckles 206 extend upwards and rearwards from an upper surface 207 ofthe second shell 116 and are spaced laterally apart from one another.The knuckles 206 may define a pin aperture 208, oriented approximatelyparallel to the plane of the upper surface 207, therethrough. As will bediscussed in more detail below, the knuckles 206 interface with a hingeassembly 485 used to connect a lid 118 to the second shell 116. Theknuckles 206 may be formed integrally with the shell or formed asseparate components and connected to the shell.

With reference again to FIGS. 4-6B, the first and second shells 114, 116may each terminate in a hose cut-out 144 a, 144 b, which in someembodiments may be semi-circular or otherwise configured to configure tothe outer shape of the hose 108. When the first and second shells 114,116 are assembled to form the housing 102, the cut-outs 144 a, 144 btogether define a hose aperture 146 through which the hose 108 passes.

Lid and Cover Assembly

With reference to FIGS. 8A and 8B, a cap, lid, or cover assembly 122will now be discussed in more detail. The cover assembly 122 providesaccess to at least a portion of the agent assembly 123 and also maysecure the tip 104 to the handle 100. The cover assembly 122 may includea lid 118 or cover, an access or latch button 110, a latch catch 212, alatch 180, a latch spring 450, and a hinge assembly 485 each of which isdiscussed below.

With reference to FIGS. 8A and 9, the lid 118 covers the agent assembly123 to help seal the assembly when closed and provide access when open.The lid 118 may include a body 472 positioned between a crown 470 and anoptional trim ring 474. The crown 470 forms an upper portion of the lid118 and may have a grip portion 494 that may include optional ribs,bumps, or the like, on its upper surface 471, to help a user more easilygrip the lid 118 to open and close it. The grip portion 494 may beformed as a recess or depression on the top-front surface of the lid 118to assist a user in locating, as well as pressing the lid. Alternativelyor additionally, the grip portion 494 may include a rubberized or otherincreased friction material to further assist a user in gripping the lid118.

A tip-receiving aperture 210 is defined through a top surface of thecrown 470 and provides access to a tip cavity 211 formed through thecrown 470 and the body 472. The tip receiving aperture 210 may be sizedto receive a tip therethrough.

With reference to FIG. 9, the interior surface of the lid body 472 mayinclude an outer rim 495 and an inner rim 496. Each rim 495, 496 mayextend from at or near the upper surface 471 downwards towards the trimring 474. The outer rim 495 and inner rim 496 may be joined at one ormore bridges 493 or strengthening ribs. The various rims may be used toconform to various portions of the agent assembly 123, such as thechamber and/or sealing members. The rims act to provide structuralsupport for the lid 118, as well as assist in mating with and sealingwith various portions the agent assembly 123.

The interior surface of the lid body 472 may also define an annularledge 498 near the upper surface 471 and internal to the inner rim 496.A tip alignment notch 497 may be defined in the ledge 498 and may bepositioned approximately beneath the grip portion 494.

A clasp housing 480 may extend downwards from the bridge 493 past thetrim ring 474. The clasp housing 480 receives a portion of the latchcatch 212, to secure the catch 212 to the lid and allow it to movetherewith as discussed in more detail below. In some embodiments, theclasp housing 480 is positioned on the same side of the lid 118 as thenotch 497 and the grip portion 494. A clasp slot 484 may be defined inthe clasp housing 480 and may be shaped and sized to correspond to thelatch catch 212.

A hinge body 486 extends from a rear sidewall of the lid 119 and may bepositioned generally opposite the grip portion 494. As discussed below,the hinge body 486 interfaces with the knuckles 206 to connect the lid118 to the second shell 116. The hinge body 486 may have a channel 488or pin aperture defined therethrough for receiving a pin 490. In someembodiments, a spring recess 491 may be defined in the hinge body 486and bridge 493 and configured to receive one or more portions of thehinge assembly (see e.g., FIG. 8A).

The trim ring 474 enhances the aesthetic appearance of the handle 100and can be used to correspond to different users (e.g., with differentcolors). The trim ring 474 may be positioned adjacent to the outer rim495 and may be secured to the body 472 by pegs 478 extending from theouter rim 495 through holes 479 to a bottom surface 476 of the trim ring474. In some embodiments, the trim ring 474 may be omitted.

The hinge assembly 485 couples the handle housing 102 to the lid 118 andallows the lid 118 to rotate relative the housing 102. The hingeassembly 485 may include a biasing element 492, such as a torsionspring, leaf spring, or the like, and a pin 490 or other securingelement.

With reference to FIGS. 8A, 10, and 11, the latch button 110 activatesthe cover assembly 122 to open or close the cover 118 of the agentchamber 124 and/or handle. The latch button 110 is shaped and sized tobe activated by a user's finger and may include a generally oval-shapedbody 156 having a convexly curved exterior surface 158 and an opposinginterior face 166 having two arms 160 or protrusions extendingtherefrom. The arms 160 may be blunted angled surfaces and each arm 160may end in an angled or curved terminus 162 that approximates thecurvature of the exterior surface 158 of the body 156 of the latchbutton 110. A plate slot 164 is defined in the interior face 166 of thebody 156 and arms 160, extending along a width of the button 110.

With reference to FIGS. 8A, 8B, 10, and 12, the latch catch 212 engagesthe handle 110, such as the handle housing, to secure the lid 118 to thehousing 102. The latch catch 212 may include a catch body 216 that maybe vertically elongated, an anchoring shelf 214 that may extendapproximately perpendicularly from an upper end of the body 216, and ahook or catch seat positioned at the opposing end or lower end of thebody 216. The hook 218 may curve 180 and terminate at an end 219. Thetop end face 219 of the hook 218 or engagement feature may be shaped toengage and selectively release from the respect element on the housingor latch. Similarly, the bottom face of the hook 218 may be formed tomore easily engage and disengage from the securing element or the latch(see, e.g., FIG. 30).

A well 220 or depression may be formed in the catch body 216 and mayextend a majority of the distance between the anchoring shelf 214 andthe hook 218. In some embodiments, the well 220 may be substantiallyoval-shaped and extend a substantial length of the catch body 216. Thewell 220 may help to reduce the amount of material required for thecatch, thus saving manufacturing costs. The latch catch 212 typicallymay be configured to withstand high stresses and repeated use andtherefore may be formed of a strong material, such as metals, alloys, orthe like. The latch catch 212 may be formed via metal injection,machining, stamping, or other suitable manufacturing processes.

With reference to FIGS. 8A, 10, and 11, latch 180 is connected to thehousing 102 and engages the latch catch 212 to releasably secure the lid118 to the housing 102. In some embodiments, the latch 180 may be agenerally planar element having a U-shape with two arms 186 extendingapproximately parallel to each other from shoulders 190 joined by a neck196. An inner wall 188 of the latch 180 forms the inner wall of each ofthe arms 186 and may define a concavely curved wall. The width betweenthe arms 186 may be sufficient to accommodate the chamber 124 when thehandle 100 is assembled.

The latch 180 may include a coupling head 175 extending from the neck196 and the shoulders 192. The coupling head 175 or securing prongengages the latch button 110 to couple the button 110 and latch 180together, such that movement of the button 110 moves the latch 180correspondingly. The coupling head 175 may be varied as desired tosecure to the button 110. In some embodiments, a tab clip 176 may bepositioned at each lateral end 178 of the head. In some embodiments, thetab clips 176 may be angled downward below the plane of the arms 186 andmay flex to allow the button 110 to be inserted onto the coupling head175 and then secured thereto.

A clasp aperture 199 is defined through a top surface of the latch 180,such as by an inner wall 194 of each shoulder 190, an inner wall 198 ofthe neck 196, and an inner wall 177 of the coupling head 175. A claspsurface 200 is angled from the top surface of the latch 180 and extendsdownwards from the inner wall 198 of the neck 196 downward such that anend 202 of the clasp surface 200 is positioned below the plane of thearms 186. The clasp tab or surface 200 may be shaped and positioned toengage with the end 219 of the hook 218 of the latch catch 212. In otherwords, the clasp surface 200 may be formed as a securing feature toengage the clasp of the lid. The angle of the clasp surface 200 may beselected to retain the hook 218 while allowing the hook 218 to easilyengage and disengage.

The latch 180 may also include one or more steps 179 positioned at theneck 196 between the coupling head 175 and each shoulder 190, and a topwall 192 of each shoulder 190 may curve from each step 179 to each arm186. The steps 179 act as a stop or catch for the button 110 to ensurethat the button 110 will actually translate the latch 180 and not justslide relative to the latch 180 when activated. The shape of the endwalls 192 may complement the shape of the termini 162 of the arms 160 ofthe latch button 110.

Each latch arm 186 may extend in a similar direction to one another andmay terminate in an actuator surface 182 that transitions to define anengagement surface 184 that maybe substantially perpendicularly relativeto the plane of the arms 186. The latch arms 185 may be curved andhaving a curvature corresponding to the shape of the chamber, to allowthe arms to move horizontally relative to the chamber unimpeded. In oneexample, the actuators 182 may include a curved surface as ittransitions to define the engagement surface 184 perpendicular to thelatch arms 186. The engagement surfaces 184 of each foot 182 transmitsforce to the latch spring 450 as discussed below.

In some embodiments, the latch 180 may be a metal or alloy material forincreased strength and durability. In these embodiments, the lath may becreated by metal injection molding, but may also be manufactured bystamping or machining.

With reference to FIGS. 8A, 8B, 10, and 11, the latch eject or latchspring 450 maintains and returns the latch 180 to an engagement positionwhere the latch 180 engages the latch catch 212. The latch spring 450may be a generally flexible component that deforms upon application of aforce and springs back to its original shape when the force is removed.In some embodiments, the latch spring 450 may have a generally curvedbody and may include a spine 452 or securing protrusion extendingoutwards from a back surface. The spine 452 may extend along the entireheight of the latch spring 450 and anchors the spring 450 to the housing102. The two terminal ends 462 of the latch spring 450 includeengagement nubs 464 that may extend along the height of the spring 450.

Agent Assembly

The handle 100 includes an agent assembly 123 that receives and storesone or more oral agents for dispensing with the fluid. The agentassembly 123 may include one more chambers or cavities, as well asoptional filtering features that regulate the dispensing of the agent.With reference to FIGS. 3 and 12-13C, the agent assembly 123 will now bediscussed in more detail. The agent assembly 123 receives and containsone or more oral agents to be delivered to a user's oral cavity and mayinclude an agent chamber 124, one or more filters 530, and a chambervalve 500, each discussed in turn below.

With reference to FIGS. 13A-13C, the chamber 124 defines an agentcompartment or cavity to receive and introduce the oral hygiene agentinto the fluid stream. The chamber 124 may be generally cylindricallyshaped and include a rim 228, a chamber body 230, and a connection base238, each of which may be shaped to correspond to the handle shells 114,116 and/or pause assembly. Additionally, the chamber 124 is shaped basedon the desired oral agent for delivery by the handle 100 and in someinstances may be configured to receive a round tablet.

The rim 228 defines and upper surface 224 of the chamber 124 and maydefine an angled interior wall 222 having a sloped portion 221positioned between the upper surface 224 of the rim 228 and the shelf246. The sloped portion 221 may assist in insertion of the tip assemblyinto the agent assembly 123. A shelf 246 may be formed on the interiorof the chamber body 230 near the interface between the rim 228 and upperportion 232 of the body 230.

The chamber body 230 may include an upper body 232 joined to a lowerbody 234 by a recessed neck 236. The lower body 234 may include abeveled bottom edge that interfaces with portions of the pause assembly.An agent chamber 226 or cavity is defined within the chamber body 230and is fluidly connected to the reservoir via a chamber aperture 250defined in a bottom wall 248 of the chamber body 230.

In some embodiments, the agent chamber 226 has a diameter Dc, thatapproximately matches in an almost 1:1 ratio an oral agent diameter tobe used with the device. For example, the oral agent may have a diameterDt, that is between 80 to 98 percent of the length of Dc. In oneembodiment, the tablet diameter Dt may be 93.6 percent of the chamberdiameter Dc. This allows the tablet to be easily positioned within thechamber by a user, e.g., a user does not need to press fit the tabletinto the chamber 226, but helps to prevent the tablet from flipping overitself within the chamber 226 such that an edge of the tablet 590 isensured to be ablated by the fluid stream entering the chamber. In oneembodiment, the chamber diameter is also selected to ensure that thefluid pressure within the chamber 226 does not exceed the latch strengthfor the lid. For example, as the diameter of the chamber Dc increases,the fluid pressure on the lid 118 and latch 180, will increase, whichcould cause the latch to fail or otherwise require increased strength.In one embodiment, the diameter of the chamber Dc is selected to rangebetween 0.400 and 0.600 inches, 0.400 and 0.500 inches, and in aspecific embodiment, between 0.470 inches. In this embodiment, thetablet 590 may be selected to have a corresponding diameter between0.300 to 0.599 inches, and in a specific embodiment, 0.440 inches acrossa longest dimension.

The chamber 226 may also have a height selected to allow multipletablets to be positioned within (e.g., stacked) the chamber and/or toallow taller tablets to be used. The height of the chamber may bevaried, depending on a desired length of the handle, as well as thetablet or agent height.

The flow aperture 250 or chamber inlet 250 is defined through a bottomwall of the chamber 226 and may have a diameter less than the diameterof any of the rim 228, body 230, and base 238 to permit the agentchamber 226 to receive an oral hygiene agent while preventing the agentfrom moving out of the chamber 226 through the flow aperture 250. Thechamber inlet 250 may be arranged in a center of the chamber to ensurethat the incoming fluid stream will hit a central region of the tabletor other agent used within the chamber.

The connection base 238 of the chamber 124 extends from the bottom endof the chamber body 230 and defines an inlet to the chamber 123. Theconnection base 238 may define a fluid path therethrough that is fluidlyconnected to the flow aperture 250 in the chamber body 230. Theconnection base 238 is configured to house the chamber valve 500. Theconnection base 238 may include one or more sealing grooves 244 definedaround an outer surface thereof for receiving one or more sealingmembers (e.g., sealing member 120 a). The sealing groove 244 may definea first portion 240 and a second portion 244 in the connection base 238.

A valve cavity 227 is defined in the connection base 238 and is fluidlyconnected to the reservoir. With reference to FIG. 13C, the valve cavity227 is configured to receive the chamber valve 500. The valve cavity 227may include an upper lip 252 positioned below the floor 248 of the body230 near the interface between the lower portion 234 of the body 230 andupper portion 240 of the base 238. The valve cavity 227 may also includea lower lip 254 positioned adjacent to the lower portion 242 of the base238.

The chamber valve 500 or check valve prevents backflow towards thereservoir 12. For example, the chamber valve 500 prevents fluid that hasintermixed with the agent in the chamber 230 from traveling back intothe reservoir or hose 108. In some embodiments, the chamber valve 500may be a one-way fluid valve. In other embodiments, the valve 500 may bea filter or screen that prevents particles of a particular size fromflowing back into the fluid path from the chamber 124. In one examplethe chamber valve 500 is a duckbill valve, but in other instances may bea reed valve or the like. With reference to FIGS. 4B and 12, in thisembodiment, the chamber valve 500 is a duckbill valve and may include arim 504 positioned below and adjacent to a body 502 and positioned aboveand adjacent to a plate 506. A cavity 510 may be defined continuouslythrough each of the body 502, rim 504, and plate 506. One or more flaps508 may be received in the cavity 510. When two flaps 508 are present,each may touch the other along at least a portion of its length tocreate a closed but unidirectional operable valve structure. Forexample, the flaps 508 may seal together upon application of a downwardfluid force from the chamber, but may separate and open upon applicationof an upward fluid force from the reservoir.

Pause Assembly

With reference to FIGS. 14A and 14B, the pause valve assembly 142 willnow be discussed in more detail. The pause valve assembly 142 allows auser to interrupt fluid flow to the tip 104 without removing his or herhand from the handle 100 and without turning off power to the oralirrigator 10. The pause valve assembly 142 may include an upper valvebody 126, a lower valve body 128, a shuttle valve 134, a shuttleretainer 130, a poppet assembly 136, a retaining ring 132, and a pauseactuator 112. The various components of the pause valve assembly 142will now be discussed in more detail.

With reference to FIGS. 14A, 14B, 16A, and 16B, the upper valve fittingor upper valve body 126 fluidly connects the chamber 124 and the lowervalve body 128. The upper valve body 126 may include a head 256 and abase 258 connected by a neck 260. Each of the head 256, base 258, andneck 260 may be generally cylindrical and define a fluid passage 262therethrough. The external diameter of the head 256 may be generallygreater than the external diameter of the base 258, which in turn may begreater than the external diameter of the neck 260. The diameter of thehead 256 is sufficiently wide to receive and secure the base 238 of thechamber 124.

The head 256 may include an interior beveled edge 57 angled inwards froma top surface 255 of the head 256 towards the fluid passage 262. Thehead 256 may include a bottom wall or floor 272 through which a valveflow aperture 276 is defined.

With reference to FIG. 16A, one or more alignment ribs 270 may extendlongitudinally along from the outer surface the head 256. The alignmentribs 270 are positioned to engage and act as a track for the pauseactuator 112 to move along. In one example, as shown in FIGS. 14A, 16A,and 16B, two alignment ribs 270 may be positioned approximately 90-180degrees apart from each other on the head 256. The alignment ribs 270may have the shape of shallow rectangular prisms with elongated bases asshown in FIG. 16B or may be other shapes.

A support rib 288 may extend from the neck 260 along the entire heightof the neck 260 from the head 256 to the base 258. Additionally, in someembodiments as shown in FIG. 16C, two support wings 264 extend outwardsand a long a portion of a length of the neck 260. The support wings 264may act to retain the valve body 126 in a desired position within thehandle 100.

As shown in FIG. 16B, the portion of the fluid passage 262 adjacent tothe base 258 may include a lip 280 positioned below the floor 272 of thehead 256 near the interface between the base 258 and neck 260. A sealingmember 120 b, such as U-cup, may be positioned under the lip 280.

With reference to FIGS. 14A, 14B, 17A, and 17B, a lower valve body 128operably connects the upper valve body 126 and the valve base 138. Thelower valve body 128 may include a plurality of support ribs 400, ashelf 404, a top end 402, a lip 406, an annular wall 420, and a skirt408. In one embodiment, the support ribs 400 extend longitudinallybetween the shelf 404 and the top end 402 defining an open spacetherebetween. The lip 406 extends upwardly from the top end 402 and mayencircle a valve body opening 410 defined through the top end 402. Theannular wall 420 is connected to the bottom end of the shelf 404 and mayinclude a larger diameter than the shelf 404. The skirt 408 extendsdownwards from the annular wall 420 and in some embodiments includes anupper portion 422 that is angled outward from the annular wall 420 suchthat the diameter of the skirt 408 may be larger than a diameter of theannular wall 420. The skirt 408 may include an outer skirt wall 414 andan inner skirt wall 416 and defines a skirt cavity 412.

With reference to FIGS. 14A, 14B, and 18, the shuttle retainer 130receives fluid flowing past the poppet assembly 136 when the handle 100is in pause mode. The shuttle retainer 130 may include a body 307 and alip 309 that meet at a ledge 308. The shuttle retainer 130 may includean exterior wall 294 and a stepped interior wall 296 defining a cavity298 that extends from an open first end 290 to an open second end 292.The open first end 290 may include a top surface 300 having a pluralityof tabs 302 separated by notches around the perimeter 304 of the opening306. The tabs 302 may define a broken circular edge with a circumferenceslightly larger than the circumference of the shuttle valve 134. Theupper portion 310 of the lip may angle inwards towards the tabs 302 andopening 306.

With reference to FIGS. 14A, 14B, and 19, the shuttle valve 134interrupts fluid flow through the handle 100 when pause mode isselected. The shuttle valve 134 may include a valve body 332 and a base334. The body 332 may define a top surface 344 of the valve and the base334 may define a bottom surface 346 and in some embodiments, the base334 flares outwards from a bottom end of the valve body 332. The valvebody 332 includes a connector groove 336 that may be positioned aboutmidway along the length of the body 332. The connector groove 336 isconfigured to connect to a clamping feature that allows the shuttlevalve 134 to move correspondingly with the pause actuator 112.

The shuttle valve 134 includes a flow lumen 342 defined through thevalve body 332 and base 334. An open first end 338 of the shuttle valve134 is fluidly connected to an open second end 340 by the flow lumen 342and the base cavity 348.

With reference to FIGS. 14A, 14B, and 20, a poppet assembly 136 is usedto selectively disconnect fluid flow from the hose 108 to the chamber124. The poppet assembly 136 may include a cap 312, including a recessedcenter portion 313, connected to a poppet support plate 316 by a poppetneck 318. An annular platform 314 may encircle the neck 318 above thepoppet support plate 316. The diameter of the platform 314 may beapproximately equal to the diameter of the cap 312 and less than thewidest diameter of the poppet support plate 316. The cap 312 and annularplatform 314 are generally sized and shaped to be received in theshuttle valve 134. The poppet support plate 316 includes a first surface320, a second surface 322, and a plurality of spokes 324 extendingoutwardly from the platform 314. Two adjacent spokes 324 may beseparated from each other to define a flow path 326 therebetween. Asealing member 120 d may be seated around the poppet neck 318 betweenthe cap 312 and platform 314.

With reference to FIGS. 14A, 14B, and 21, a retaining ring 132 operablyconnects the pause actuator 112 to the shuttle valve 134. The retainingring 132 may be sized and shaped to engage components of the pause valveassembly 142. In one example, as shown in FIG. 21, the retaining ring132 may be disc-shaped and include a keyhole cutout 354. The keyholecutout 354 may include a first slot 356 a, an arm aperture 356 b, acenter aperture 356 c, and a hinge aperture 356 d. The center aperture356 c may be sized to fit around the connector groove 336 of the shuttlevalve 134, each of the arm aperture 356 b and hinge aperture 356 d maybe sized to fit around a support rib 400 of the lower valve body 128. Insome embodiments, the retaining ring 132 may be a snap ring and besufficiently flexible to snap around the outer diameter of the shuttlevalve 134.

With reference to FIGS. 2A, 2B, 3, 5A, 5B, 14A, and 15, the pauseactuator 112 is moved by a user to place the handle in a pause or anirrigate mode. The pause actuator 112 may have a front face 365 definingan actuator lever 362 or button that a user can grip to move the pauseactuator 112. The actuator lever 362 may be oval shaped and include agrip portion 366 extending outwards therefrom to allow a user to moreeasily grasp the lever 362.

In some embodiments, the front face 365 may be convexly curved to matchthe curvature of the handle housing, but in other embodiments may bedifferently configured. Additionally, the front face 365 may vary indepth as it transitions from an upper portion 361 to a lower portion363. For example, as shown in FIG. 14A, an overhang 386 may be definedbetween the upper portion 361 and lower portion 363 of the front face365 as the front face 365 transitions in depth.

The pause actuator 112 may also include sidewalls 370 that extendoutwards from the rear of the front face 365 and extend along thelongitudinal length of the actuator 112. A support rib 360 may bepositioned between the two sidewalls 370 and extend the longitudinallength of the pause actuator 112. In some embodiments, the support rib360 may include a stop 367 that has a longer width than the remainingportions of the support rib 360. The stop 367 may be used to limit theupward motion of the pause actuator 112 relative to the handle housing.

The pause actuator 112 may also include two pairs of clamping features382 a, 382 b extending outwards from the sidewalls 370 and rear surfaceof the actuator 112. The clamping features 382 a, 382 b are configuredto clamp around the retaining ring 132, such that movement of the pauseactuator 112 will move the retaining ring 132 therewith. The clampingfeatures 382 a, 382 b may include an upper shelf 372 and a lower shelf374 for engaging the retaining ring 132 may extend parallel to eachother from the rear face 368.

Each of the clamping features 382 a, 382 b may include a first upperprong 376 a, 378 a and a second upper prong 376 b, 378 b that extendparallel to one another. Each of the first prongs 376 a, 378 a may belaterally spaced from the second prongs 376 b, 378 b and are connectedby a shelf wall 380 defined on an interior surface of the actuator face.Each upper prong 376 a, 376 b may be separated from its lower prong 378a, 378 b by a retaining gap 384 between the upper and lower shelves 372,374.

Swivel Assembly

With reference to FIGS. 3-5B and 22, the swivel assembly 143 will now bediscussed in more detail. The swivel assembly 143 may help preventtranslation of rotational movement of the handle 100 or the hose 108relative to the other. The swivel assembly 143 may include a valve base138 and a base collar 140. The valve base 138 is configured to bereceived within the stationary lower valve body 128. The valve base 138may include a series of stacked concentric discs 438, 439, 440, acylindrical body 426, and an elongated barbed tip 428. The top disc 438may have the smallest diameter of the stack with the middle disc 439having a diameter between the top disc 438 and the bottom disc 440. Thethickness of each of the discs 438, 439, 440 may increase between eachdisc, with the top disc 438 having the smallest thickness, the middledisc 439 having a thickness between the two discs 438, 440, and thebottom disc 440 having the greatest thickness. The valve base 138defines a flow cavity 430 from the barbed tip 428 through to the topsurface 432 of the top disc 438. The barbed tip 428 may include one ormore gripping components 436 that enhance the connection between thevalve base 138 and the hose 108.

The base collar 140 may define a barb aperture 442 configured to receivethe barbed tip 428 of the valve base 138. In one example, as shown inFIGS. 3 and 4A, the base collar 140 may include a rim 444 and a body446. The base collar 140 may be cylindrical in shape.

Assembly of the Oral Irrigator

An illustrative example of assembly of the handle will now be discussed.It should be noted that the below description is meant as exemplary onlyand the handle 100 may be assembled in any manner and in any order. Inone embodiment, to assemble the pause valve assembly 142, the shuttlevalve 134 is received in the upper and lower valve bodies 126, 128, theshuttle retainer 130 and poppet assembly 136 are both received in thelower valve body 128, and the pause actuator 112 is operably connectedto the shuttle valve 134 by the retaining ring 132 such that selectivemovement of the actuator 112 also moves the shuttle valve 134 within theupper and lower valve bodies 126, 128.

The lip 406 of the lower valve body 128 may be received in the base 258of the upper valve body 126 and may be positioned below and adjacent tothe sealing member 120 b positioned under the lip 280 of the fluidpassage 262.

The shuttle retainer 130 may be received in the skirt cavity 412 of thelower valve body 128. The exterior wall 294 of the shuttle retainer 130may be positioned adjacent to the inner skirt wall 416 of the lowervalve body 128 such that the stepped profile of the exterior wall 294follows the stepped profile of the inner skirt wall 416. The second end292 of the shuttle retainer 130 may be positioned adjacent to the firstsurface 320 of the poppet support plate 316. The top surface 300 of theshuttle retainer 130 may be positioned below the sealing member 120 cpositioned under the shelf 404 of the lower valve body 128. Theconfiguration of tabs 302 and notches in the top surface 300 may permitwater to reach the sealing member 120 c and press the sealing member 120c against the shelf 404, thereby creating a faster or stronger seal thanin the absence of water.

The base 334 and a lower portion of the body 332 of the shuttle valve134 may be received in the cavity 298 of the shuttle retainer 130. Thefirst end 338 of the shuttle valve 134 may be received in the fluidpassage 262 of the upper valve body 126. The support ribs 400 of theupper valve body 126 may flank a portion of the body 332 of the shuttlevalve 134. A shuttle compartment 284 may be formed in the space betweenthe bottom surface 282 of the floor 272 of the head 256 of the uppervalve body 126 and the top surface 344 of the body 332 of the shuttlevalve 134 when the handle 100 is in pause mode. The retaining ring 132may be flexed at the hinge aperture 356 d to widen the slot 356 a andseat the center aperture 356 c of the retaining ring 132 within theconnector groove 336 of the shuttle valve 134.

The cap 312, and the sealing member 120 d positioned around the poppetneck 318, of the poppet assembly 136 may be received in the base cavity348 of the shuttle valve 134. The first surface 320 of the poppetsupport plate 316 may be positioned below and adjacent to the bottomsurface 346 of the base 334 of the shuttle valve 134 and below andadjacent to the second end 292 of the shuttle retainer 130.

The pause actuator 112 may extend from approximately the head 256 of theupper valve body 126 to the skirt 408 of the valve lower housing. At therear of the upper portion 361 of the pause actuator 112, each side wall370 may be positioned adjacent an alignment rib 270 of the head 256 ofthe upper valve body 126. Also at the upper portion 361, the end portion358 of the center wall 360 may be positioned adjacent to the head 256and base 258 of the upper valve body 126, at least when the pause modeis selected. The middle portion 359 of the center wall 360 may bepositioned adjacent to the base 258 of the upper valve body 126 and theupper plate 402 of the lower valve body 128. The middle portion 359 mayalso face the body 332 of the shuttle valve 134. The end portion 358,near the lower portion 363 of the pause actuator 112, of the center wall360 may be positioned adjacent to the skirt of the lower valve body 128.The retaining ring 132 may be captured in the gap 384 formed between theupper prongs 376 a, 376 b, and lower prongs 378 a, 378 b. One pair ofupper and lower prongs 376 b, 378 b may traverse some or all of the slot356 a of the keyhole 354 of the retaining ring 132. Another pair ofupper and lower prongs 376 a, 378 a may traverse some or all of thehinge aperture 356 d.

When the housing 102 is assembled, the actuator lever 362 of the pauseactuator 112 may be positioned within the pause actuator aperture 204 inthe first shell 114 and the front face 365 of the pause actuator 112 maybe positioned against an interior wall 174 a of the first shell 114opposite at least a portion of the pause actuator frame 390. The upperand lower portions 392, 394 of the aperture 204 extend beyond the lengthof the actuator lever 362 such that the aperture 204 is longer than theactuator lever 362 and shorter than the remainder of the pause actuator112. In this configuration, the pause actuator 112 is both retainedwithin the aperture 204 and can slide longitudinally within the aperture204 as the actuator lever 362 and pause actuator 112 travel on eitherside of the aperture 204 and frame 390. By placing the pause actuator112 on the handle 100, the user may more easily change settings or pausethe fluid flow while using an oral irrigator that is fluidly connectedto the handle 100.

When the housing 102 is assembled, various portions of the pause valveassembly 142 may be supported or captured by ledges 150 a, 150 b orvertical support walls 148 a, 148 b. For example, a ledge 150 b may bepositioned beneath the head 256 and adjacent to the neck 260 of theupper valve body 126. Another ledge 150 b may be positioned adjacent tothe neck 260 and above the base 258 of the upper valve body 126. Asanother example, the upper plate 402 of the lower valve body 128 mayrest on a ledge 150 b. The retaining wall 288 of the lower valve body128 may extend perpendicularly to the ledges 150 b of the second shell116 and be positioned in a slot 151 in one or more ledges 150 b.

To assemble the swivel assembly 143, the barbed tip 428 of the valvebase 138 is received in the barb aperture 442 of the base collar 140.Ledges 150 a, 150 b of the shells 114, 116 may be positioned beneath thebottom disc 440 and adjacent to the body 426 of the valve base 138. Therim 444 of the base collar 140 may rest on ledges 150 a, 150 b.

To join the cover assembly and the chamber assembly, the chamber 124 ispositioned between the inner walls 188 of the arms 186 of the latch 180and between the neck 196 of the latch 180 and the terminal ends 462 ofthe latch spring 450. The chamber 124 may not completely fill the spacebetween the arms 186 such that lateral movement of the latch 180 towardsor away from the latch button 110 is permitted.

The agent assembly 123 is assembled by inserting the chamber valve 500in the valve cavity 227 of the base 238 of the chamber 124.

When the housing 102 is assembled, the rim 228 of the chamber 124 maysit on a step 205 a on the upper surface 207 of the first and secondshells 114, 116 such that the rim 228 extends above the plane of theupper surface 207. The neck 236 of the body 230 of the chamber 124 mayreceive a ledge 150 a, 150 b of the first and second shells 114, 116.

To connect the pause valve assembly 142 to the swivel assembly 143, thetop surface 432 of the top disc 438 of the valve base 138 may bepositioned below and adjacent to the second surface 322 of the poppetsupport plate 316 of the poppet assembly 136. The middle disc 439 may bepositioned adjacent to the inner skirt wall 416 of the lower valve body128. The outer diameter of the bottom disc 440 may be approximately thesame as the outer diameter of the skirt 408 of the lower valve body 128such that when the bottom disc 440 is positioned under the skirt 408,the outer skirt wall 414 may be flush with an outer surface 441 of thebottom disc 440. The barbed tip 428 of the valve base 138 may bereceived in the barb aperture 442 of the base collar 140.

An end of the hose 108 may fit over the barbed tip 428. The hose 108 mayexit the cavity 172 of the assembled housing 102 at the aperture 146.

To connect the agent assembly 123 and pause valve assembly 142, the base238 of the chamber 124, and the sealing member 120 a adjacent the neck244 of the base 238, may be received in the upper valve body 126 and thefluid passages aligned. For example, the top surface 255 of the head 256of the upper valve body 126 may be positioned below and adjacent to thelower portion 234 of the body 230 of the chamber 124. The chamber valve500 may be positioned such that the cavity 510 of the chamber valve 500is below the flow aperture 250 in the floor 248 of the chamber 124 andover the flow aperture 276 in the floor 272 of the fluid passage 262 ofthe upper valve body 126.

The cover assembly 122 may be assembled by connecting the latch button110 to the latch spring 450 via the latch 180. The coupling head 175 andtab clips 176 of the latch 180 are inserted into the plate slot 164 ofthe latch button 110. The tab clips 176 may be angled slightly away fromthe plane of the coupling head 175. As the tab clips 176 are insertedinto the plate slot 164 of the latch button 110, the clips 176 may flexto align with the plane of the head 175. The clips 176 may then bendtowards their original position, biasing them against the inside of theslot 164, thereby securing the latch button 110 to the latch plate 118.The engagement surface 184 of each foot 182 of the latch 180 may abutthe corresponding engagement nub 464 of each terminal end 462 of thelatch spring 450. The spine 452 of the latch spring 450 may be biasedagainst the interior of the second shell 116.

Further assembly of the cover assembly 122 includes connecting the lid118 to each of the trim ring 474, latch catch 212, and housing 102. Thetrim ring 474 is secured to the lid 118, such as against the outer rim495 of the lid 118, by fitting the pins 478 of the lid 118 throughcorresponding holes 479 in the trim ring 474. The catch body 216 andanchoring shelf 214 of the latch catch 212 may be overmolded, insertmolded, or otherwise embedded in the slot 484 of the lid 118 such that aportion of the lid 118 extends into the well 220 of the latch catch 212.

Before connecting the lid 118 to the housing 102, the pause valveassembly 142, swivel assembly 143, and agent assembly 123 are assembledand the first and second shells 112, 114 are secured to each other toenclose the pause valve, swivel, and chamber assemblies 142, 143, 123.

The lid 118 is connected to the housing 102 via the hinge assembly 485.For example, a knuckle 206 of the second shell 116 is positioned oneither side of the hinge body 486 of the lid 118. The pin 490 isinserted through the pin aperture 208 of the knuckles 206 and throughthe channel 488 of the hinge body 486. The lid spring 492 may be seatedin the recess 491 of the hinge body 486 and bridge 493 and may encirclethe pin 490 at approximately the longitudinal center of the pin 490.

Once assembled, the lid 118 of the handle of FIGS. 1A-24B may be openedand closed to allow a user to insert and/or remove a dental agent. Forexample, a user may open the lid 118 by first pressing on the outersurface 158 of the body 156 of the latch button 110. As the latch button110 is compressed, the button 110 exerts a force against the latch 180via the terminus or engaging ends 162 of each arm 160 of the latchbutton 156. In particular, the arms 160 press against the top wall 192of the shoulder 190 of the latch 180, causing the neck 196 and affixedclasp tab 200 of the latch 180 to move laterally inwards towards acenter of the handle. As the latch button 110 is compressed, the rigidlatch 190 moves, exerting a force against the engagement nubs 464 of thelatch spring 450. This causes the latch arms 462 to flex, since thelatch spring is secured in position relative to the housing. Theflexibility of the arms 462 allows the latch 180 to be displacedrelative to the latch catch 212. In particular, the as the latch 180moves, the engaging face 202 of the tab 200 of the latch 180 disengagesfrom the end 219 of the hook 218 of the latch catch 212, i.e., theengaging face 202 of the tab 200 moves horizontally to unseat the latchcatch 212. Once the latch 180 unblocks the latch catch 212, the force ofthe lid spring 492 against the step 205 e causes the lid 118, and thecatch 212, to pivot, and move away from the handle. As this occurs, thecatch 212 and hook 218, passes through the catch aperture 199 of thelatch 180 and through the catch aperture 154 of the first shell 114,allowing the lid 118 to pivot on the pin 490. In this manner, a user isthus able to open the lid 118 with one hand as all that is needed toopen the lid is to compress the button 110 with a finger.

When the horizontal force by the user on the button 110 is removed, thelatch spring 450 may return to its original shape and/or position. Inparticular, the latch spring 452 arms will spring back or return totheir original position, exerting a return force on the latch 180,causing the latch 180 to move horizontally in the opposite direction,returning to its first positon.

To close the lid 118, the user exerts a downward force on the top of thelid 118, which overcomes the force of the lid spring 492, and the lid118 pivots about the pin 490 towards the handle. As this occurs, thelatch catch 212 passes through catch apertures 154, 199 of the housingand latch 180, respectively. The sloped surface of the tab 200 allowsthe hook to easily slide through the catch aperture on the latch 180,until the catch is positioned in the latching position to engage withthe bottom surface of the latch. Further, as the hook moves through thecatch aperture, the hook 218 portion engages tab 200 of the latch 180,causing the latch 180 to move laterally, allowing the hook 218 to extendthrough the opening 199. As soon as the hook 218 is through the catchaperture 199, the tab 200 is no longer forced towards the spring 452,and the latch 180 is forced by the spring 452 back towards its originalposition, engaging the end face of the hook 218 against the bottomsurface of the latch 180.

Components and Assembly of the Tip

In some embodiments, the tip may be operably and releasably coupled tothe handle 100. In some instances, the tip or tip assembly may includefeatures of the agent assembly, such as one or more filters, which allowthe filters to be more easily replaced. FIGS. 7A and 7B illustratevarious views of a tip assembly 104 for use with the handle. Withreference to FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 12, the tip assembly 104 includes a tipcollar 106, a tip body 512, a tip seal cap 515, and a filter 530, eachdiscussed below. It should be noted that the configuration of the tip ismeant to be aesthetically pleasing, as well as functional. Since thevarious portions of the tip may be exposed to a user before and aftercoupling to the handle, the features may be designed in a manner toenhance the aesthetic appearance, as well as the functionality.

The tip ring 106 or collar may encircle or surround a portion of the tipbody 512 at a position immediately above and adjacent to the tip collar534. The tip ring or collar 106 may be formed of various colors toidentify different tips for different users. Additionally, the tipcollar 106 may include an alignment icon 539, such as a colored,printed, embossed, engraved, indented, or otherwise formed, feature on afront surface thereof. The alignment icon 539 in one embodiment is aprinted dot indicating a front center portion of the tip to allow a userto more easily align the tip in the handle as discussed below. In someembodiments, the lid 118 may include a corresponding alignment icon 471that a user can reference when inserting the tip.

The tip body 512 forms a jet tip for the handle and terminates with atip outlet 105 formed a terminal end thereof through which fluid can beexpelled. A channel 514 for the passage of fluid may be defined throughthe length of the tip body 512. The opposite end of the tip body 512defines a filter housing 534 and engages with the tip seal cap 515 andreceives the filter 530. The filter housing 534 may be defined at abottom end of the tip body 512 and extends radially outwards anddownwards from the bottom of the tip body 512. For example, the filterhousing 534 may be defined as an expanded cylindrical end for the tip.

The filter housing 534 may include various features for engaging the tipseal cap 515, as well as the filter 530, as well as define an internalcavity 536 for receiving the filter assembly. In some embodiments, thefilter housing 534 may include one more connection grooves 541, whichmay be defined on an exterior surface as annular grooves, to receiveportions of the seal cap 515. The filter housing 534 may have steppedperimeter, which may help the tip 104 engage and/or form a seal againstthe portion of the tip cavity 211 adjacent the crown 470 of the lid 118when the tip 104 is inserted in the handle 100. The bottom end of thetip or the filter housing 534 may also include an alignment tab 538. Thealignment tab 538 may be extend outwards from a front sidewall of thefilter housing 534. The size and shape of the alignment tab 538 may becomplimentary to the tip alignment notch 497 defined in the ledge 498 ofthe lid body 472 of the lid 118.

Additionally, the filter housing 534 defines a filtering chamber 536 ina bottom end thereof. The filtering chamber 536 may be defined as astepped chamber having an internal shelf 557 defined above a bottom end531 of the tip body 512. A top end of the chamber 536 includes taperedwalls 543 that direct the flow into the tip fluid passage 514. Sidewallsof the chamber 536 include vertical ribs 537 that extend parallel to thelongitudinal axis of the filter housing 534 to provide additionalstrength, as well as define brackets for securing the filter 530 inposition, without significantly decreasing the diameter of the fluidpassage of the chamber 536. The bottom portion of the filtering chamber536 also include a screen support 532 that may be defined as an annularrim that extends into the filtering chamber 536. The bottom wall 531defining the opening of the filtering chamber 536 may include one ormore nubs 545 spaced around the chamber opening.

With reference to FIGS. 7A-7C, the tip seal cap 515 is configured toseal the bottom end of the tip when the tip 104 is positioned in thehandle and is configured to engage with a portion of the outer surfaceof the filter housing 534. The tip seal cap 515 may include a skirt 516,an exterior wall 522, and an annular lip 528. This skirt 516 is spacedapart from a top end of the tip seal cap 515 and defines an angledsurface 517 as it extends downwards and radially away from a centralaxis of the seal cap 515. The skirt 516 may include a rim 518 is formedas annular bead extending around the outer perimeter, which in someembodiments, may act as a compressible seal to ensure a tight seal withthe handle. In other embodiments, the rim 518 may be formed by an O-ringformed integrally with or secured to the tip seal cap 515.

A portion of the front face of the skirt 516 may transition to form analignment tab 540. The tab 540 assists a user in visually aligning thetip 104 in the tip cavity 211. Additionally or alternatively, the tab540 may provide reinforcement to the seal cap 515 against the rim 228 ofthe chamber 124 where the base 515 first contacts the rim 228 as the lid118 is being closed. In some examples, the tab 540 is formed to bealigned with the alignment tab 538 of the filter housing 534 whensecured together. In some examples, the tab 540 is semicircular in shapebut may be any shape.

With continued reference to FIG. 7C, from the bottom of the skirt 516,the seal cap 515 transitions to define an exterior wall 522 may includean angled portion 524 that transitions to vertical wall 526. The sealcap 515 terminates with an end bead 528 that extends radially outwardsfrom the vertical wall 526 and may act as an O-ring or othercompressible feature to ensure the tip seal 515 is sealed against thevarious surfaces within the handle when the tip 104 is inserted therein.

The seal cap 515 may have a stepped perimeter for engaging the lid 118and chamber 124. The perimeter may be complementary to portions of thelid 118 and chamber 124. In one example, as shown in FIG. 12, theperimeter may increase along the angled portion 517 of the hip 516 tothe annular rim 518, which may be the widest portion of the base 515.The perimeter of the base 515 may step inwards from the annular rim 518to the exterior wall 522 such that a portion of a bottom surface 520 ofthe hip is exposed. The diameter of the annular lip 528 may be greaterthan the diameter of the vertical portion 526 of the exterior wall 522but less than the greatest diameter of the sloped portion 524 of thevertical wall 522.

To assemble the tip 104, the tip collar 106 is positioned over the tipbody 512 and rests on a top surface 549 of the filter housing 534. Insome embodiments, a body nub 551 seats within a corresponding recess 553in the tip collar 506 to secure the collar 106 in position and preventrotation relative to the tip body 512. The alignment icon 539 isoriented to be facing forward in the same direction as the outlet 105 ofthe tip body 512. With reference to FIGS. 7B and 7C, the filter assembly530, 532 is positioned within the filter housing 534. For example, thefilter screen 530 is received within the filter chamber 536 and pressedagainst the bottom surface of the ledge 557 with the filter housing 534.The ledge 557 operates to prevent the filter screen 530 from beingdislodged or otherwise moving in position when fluid flows from thefilter chamber 536 to the fluid pathway 514 within the tip body 512. Thescreen support 532, which may be inserted simultaneously with or afterthe filter 530, is then positioned beneath the filter 530 and against aninterior wall of the filter housing 534. The nubs 545 may preventdownward movement of the filter assembly during use.

The tip seal cap 515 is received around the outer surface of the filterhousing 534. For example, the tab 540 may be aligned with the tap 538 ofthe filter housing 534 and the tip seal cap 515 press fit onto thefilter housing. The top end of the seal cap 515 fits into sealing groove537 of the filter housing 534 to securing the cap 515 in position. Whenpositioned on the tip, the seal cap 515 extends past the bottom end 531with the lower bead 528 forming the terminal end of the tip assembly.

Inserting and Removing a Tip

A user may insert a tip 104 into, and remove a tip 104 from, the handle100 of FIGS. 1A-24B. In many embodiments, the tip 104 is secured to thelid 118 of the handle 104 and pivots away from and towards the handle100 with the lid 118. To insert a tip, the user may open the lid 118 andthe tip 104, starting with the tip outlet 105, may be passed through thetip cavity 211 and the tip-receiving aperture 210 of the lid 118 untilthe tip collar 106 is positioned above and adjacent to the crown 470 ofthe lid 118. The filter housing 534 of the tip 104 is seated against theinside of the tip cavity 211 adjacent the crown 470 of the lid 118. Thealignment tab 538 on the filter housing 534 is positioned within the tipalignment notch 497 in the ledge 498 of the body 472 of the lid 118,securing the tip 104 within the lid 118, as well as ensuring that thetip 104 is properly aligned relative to the lid 118.

Further, the seal cap 515 is pressed against the internal surface ledge498 of the lid 118, with the angled surface 517 of the skirt 516 havinga slope corresponding to and complementary to the slope of the internalwall of the lid 118, e.g., the surface ledge 498. The outer bead 518engages and is compressed by the ledge 496 to ensure a sealed connectionbetween the tip 104 and the lid 118. The tab 540 of the seal cap 515 isalso positioned within the notch 497, but below the tab 538 of thefilter housing 534.

The secured engagement of the seal cap 515 and the filter housing 534,ensures that the tip 104 will remain secured to the lid 118 even underwater pressure with fluid flowing through the chamber 536 and out thetip outlet 105. Further, as the lid 118 pivots relative to the handle,the tip 104 will move therewith, to allow a user to more easily insertthe oral hygiene tablet, without having to remove the tip 104.

When the lid 118 is closed and the latch catch 212 of the lid 118 iscaptured by the clasp tab 200 of the latch 180, as described above, thetip 104 is maintained in position against the housing 102 along with thelid 118. Additionally, when the lid 118 is closed, the seal cap 515 ofthe tip 104 is brought over and is partially seated into the opening tothe agent chamber 226 of the chamber 124. The annular lip 528 of the tipseal cap 515 is seated against the rim 228 to form a fluid-tightcompression seal. In some embodiments, the annular lip 528 and rim 228fit irregularly together, which may provide a fluid-tight seal whilepreventing the premature degradation of the interface between the tip104 and the chamber 124.

The bottom surface 520 of the skirt 516 of the base 515 of the tip 104is positioned above and adjacent to the upper surface 224 of the rim 228of the chamber 124. The interface between the bottom surface 520 of theskirt 516 and the upper surface 224 of the rim 228 may form a sealsecondary to the interface between the annular lip 528 and the rim 228.

The sloped portion 524 of the exterior wall 522 of the seal cap 515 ispositioned adjacent to the sloped portion 221 of the interior wall 222of the rim 228. The compressibility of the seal cap 515 and bead 528,may define a sealed engagement with the chamber, while allowing the sealcap to move relative thereto when the lid 118 is opened, moving the tip104 therewith. The vertical portion 526 of the exterior wall 522 maypositioned adjacent to, the vertical portion 223 of the interior wall222 of the rim 228.

To remove the tip 104 from the handle 100, the latch button 110 isdepressed, releasing the lid latch as described above. As the lid 118pivots away from the handle, the annular lip 528 of the tip seal cap 515disengages from the rim 228 of the chamber 124, aided by the force ofthe spring 492 in the recess 491 of the hinge body 486 of the lid 118.The user can pull the tip 104 out through the tip cavity 210 of the lid118, such as by grasping the tip body 512 or tip collar 106.

Using the Handle

A user may use the handle 100 of FIGS. 1B-24B and the oral irrigator 10to which it is fluidly connected (see FIG. 1A) for oral irrigationand/or cleaning of the teeth, gums, and tongue. For example, once a tip104 is connected to the handle 100 and with the lid 118 in the openposition (see FIGS. 24A and 24B), the agent chamber 226 of the chamberbody 230 is exposed. A user can then place the dental agent for use inthe chamber 226. One example of a suitable dental agent is described inU.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/453,949, which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

As shown in FIG. 12, once an oral agent, which may be tablet 590 isreceived within the chamber 226, the tablet 590 spans across a majorityof the diameter of the chamber 226. In some embodiments, the chamber issized such that the longest dimension of the tablet 590 is close to thelength of the chamber diameter. This helps ensure that the water jet,entering through chamber valve 500 into the chamber 226, will impinge onits round or longest dimensional face, rather than on its side. Forexample, in some embodiments, the tablet chamber diameter is between 0.5to 1.0 inches, in some embodiments 0.470 inches and the tablet diametermay range from 0.4 to 0.90 inches, and in some embodiments be 0.440inches. In these embodiments, a ratio of approximately 1:1 chamberdiameter to tablet diameter was found to allow the tablet to be impingedon its largest face, ensuring even ablating, as well as ensure that thecross-section is not overly larger that the fluid pressure within thechamber 226 overstresses the latch mechanism for the lid 118. This isbecause in some instances the tablet 590 may be formed by particles orpowder that is compressed in the axial dimension and disintegrate morepredictably when the water jet impinges the tablet 590 axially, such asperpendicularly as it enters the chamber 226 through the valve 508.

With continued reference to FIGS. 24A and 24B, the upstream screen 530may be connected to the lid 118 and pivot therewith, uncovering thechamber 226, which allows a user to more easily access the agent chamber226. However, in other embodiments, the screen 530 may remain stationaryand a user may need to maneuver the agent around the screen 530 orotherwise remove the screen 530 before placing the agent into thechamber 226.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 24A and 24B, the opened lid 118 remainsconnected to the housing 102 via the hinge assembly 485. This helps toprevent the user from misplacing the lid 118 when inserting the oralhygiene agent, as well as enables a user to keep one hand free to insertthe agent.

Once the dental agent is inserted, or in instances when a user may wishto omit the dental agent, the user closes the lid 118 by pivoting thelid 118 about the pin 490 to flip the lid 118 downwards towards theupper surface 207 of the first and second shells 114, 116. Pressing onthe grip portion 494 on the upper surface 471 of the crown 470 of thelid 118 overcomes the bias of the spring 492 to be able to pass the hook218 of the latch catch 212 through the catch aperture 154 of the firstshell and through the clasp aperture 199 of the latch 180. As the catchis inserted, the catch tip engages the latch 180 to force it to compressagainst the latch spring 450, which flexes to allow the latch 180 tomove laterally to allow the catch to be received into the clasp aperture199. Then, the end 202 of the clasp tab 200 of the latch 180 capturesthe end 219 of the hook 218 of the latch catch 212, thereby securing thelid 118 to the housing 102.

When the lid 118 is in the closed position (see FIG. 1B), the bottomsurface 476 of the trim ring 474 may contact the upper surface 207, suchas the step 205 c, of the first and second shells 114, 116.

The user can turn on the irrigator. In particular, the handle 100 isfluidly connected to a fluid source, such as a reservoir 12 of an oralirrigator 10, and power is supplied to the oral irrigator 10, the handle100 is ready to use. When activated, the pump 16 pulls fluid from thereservoir 12 through the hose 108 into the flow cavity 430 in the valvebase 138 and into the cavity 298 of the shuttle retainer 130. In otherembodiments, such as when the reservoir 12 and the pump 16 are connectedto the handle (e.g., a handheld oral irrigator), an internal fluidpassageway instead of a hose 108 may be used.

During irrigate mode (see FIG. 5B), the pause valve assembly 142 isplaced in an on or open position by positioning the pause actuator 112toward the lid 118. The shuttle valve 134, which is operably connectedto the pause actuator 112 via the retaining ring 132, is moved into theshuttle compartment 284 of the upper valve body 126. The top surface 344of the body 332 of the shuttle valve 134 approaches or contacts thebottom surface 282 of the floor 272 of the head 256 of the upper valvebody 126.

A flow gap 350 is simultaneously created between the bottom surface 346of the base 334 of the shuttle valve 134 and the first surface 320 ofthe poppet support plate 316 of the poppet assembly 136. In thisposition of the shuttle valve 134, the cap 312, poppet neck 318, andsealing member 120 d of the poppet assembly 136 are positioned below,not seated inside, the base cavity 348 of the shuttle valve 134. Fluidcan flow from the hose 108 through the flow cavity 430 in the valve base138, through the flow path 326 between the spokes 324 of the poppetsupport plate 316, into the cavity 298 of the shuttle retainer 130, intothe base cavity 348 of the shuttle valve 134, and into the flow lumen342 of the shuttle valve 134. Fluid passes through the flow aperture 276in the upper valve body 126 and through the chamber valve 500 in thevalve cavity 227 of the base 238 of the chamber 124.

Fluid then enters the agent chamber 226 of the chamber 124 and, ifpresent, interacts with an oral hygiene agent in the chamber 226. Inembodiments where the agent is a tablet, the fluid ablates the tabletand particles are deposited into the fluid stream, which then carriesthe particles through the channel 514 in the tip 104, out the tip outlet105, and into a user's mouth. Specifically, the particles flowing withinthe fluid stream move from the chamber 226 to the filter housing 534,entering into the filter chamber 536. Before the fluid can enter intothe tip fluid passage 514, the fluid passes through the filter assembly.The filter screen 530 acts to filter the stream delivered to the tipoutlet 105, ensuring the particles above a predetermined size,determined by the size of the openings within the scree 530, areprevented from escaping into the tip. In other words, large particlesare blocked and remain in the filter chamber 536 and/or chamber 226until eroded or ablated to the predetermined size. This filtering helpsto prevent the tip from becoming clogged with particles during use, aswell as prevent the user from feeling larger particles, which may beundesirable. The filter brackets 557 within the filter housing 534ensure that the filter 530 remains secured in place, even under thesignificant fluid pressure exerted by the fluid traveling through thechamber 536. As the fluid exits the filter housing 534, such as throughthe outlet at the top of the filter chamber 536, the tapered walls 543reduce the fluid passageway and force the fluid into the tip flowpassageway 514. From the tip flow passageway 514, the fluid andparticles exit the tip outlet 105 and are deposited into a user's oralcavity and often are directed towards outer surfaces of a user's teethto remove stains.

During operation, the user may activate pause mode to temporarily stopfluid flow to the tip 104. To initiate pause mode without turning offpower to the oral irrigator to which the handle 100 is connected, thepause valve assembly 142 must be moved to a closed position as follows(see FIG. 5A). A user manually slides the pause actuator 112 downwardrelative to the housing 102, such as by grasping the grip portion 366and moving it away from the lid 118 (i.e., in the down or off position)and substantially along a longitudinal axis of the housing 102. Thistranslational movement of the pause actuator 112 also slides the coupledretaining ring 132 downward, which in turn slides the operably connectedshuttle valve 134 downward. The flow gap 350 between the base 334 of theshuttle valve 134 and the poppet support plate 316, created duringirrigate mode, is closed. The base 334 of the shuttle valve 134 contactsthe first surface 320 of the poppet support plate 316 such that the cap312, poppet neck 318, and sealing member 120 d are received inside thebase cavity 348 of the shuttle valve 134. The sealing member 120 d helpsprovide a seal with the base cavity 348 and fluid is partially orcompletely prevented from entering the base cavity 348. Fluid can flowfrom the hose 108 through the valve base 138 through the flow path 326of the poppet support plate 316 and into the cavity 298 of the shuttleretainer 130. But fluid cannot pass into the flow lumen 342 of theshuttle valve 134. Fluid flow is thereby paused or stopped through theshuttle valve 134 to the tip 104. The chamber valve 500 helps preventfluid that has engaged with the oral hygiene agent from flowing backinto the reservoir 12.

The pause mode is implemented by mechanical, not electrical, operationof the pause actuator 112. A mechanically actuated pause mode avoids theneed for electrical circuitry in the handle 100, which thereby helpsimprove the safety of the handle 100 and the oral irrigator to which thehandle is fluidly connected because electrical circuits are not in closephysical proximity to fluid conduits. A mechanically-controlled insteadof an electrically-controlled pause mode also decreases themanufacturing cost of the handle 100 and the oral irrigator. No separatebattery is required in the handle 100 to power such circuits.Alternatively, the handle 100 need not be electrically wired to the oralirrigator. Thus, an easily accessible and selectable pause mode isprovided to the user with significantly less manufacturing cost andgreater safety.

Alternative Embodiments

In some embodiments, and with reference to FIGS. 5B and 5C, the pausevalve assembly 142 includes a retaining clip 630 and does not include ashuttle retainer 130. Compared to a shuttle retainer 130, the retainingclip 630 may permit a reduction in the size, including the diameter, ofthe lower valve body 128 in which the clip 630 is received. Theretaining clip 630 provides a barrier to most fluid flowing past thepoppet assembly 136 when the handle 100 is in pause mode. When thehandle 100 is in irrigate mode, the retaining clip 630 prevents waterfrom contacting the sealing member 120 c positioned under the shelf 404of the lower valve body 128 by forming a seal with the base 334 of theshuttle valve 134. The retaining clip 630 also prevents the shuttlevalve 134 from being pulled too far towards the lid 118 of the handle100. Oral irrigator handles 100 or pause valve assemblies 142 thatinclude a retaining clip 630 have a similar design, construction,function, assembly, and operation as those described above with thefollowing exceptions.

With continued reference to FIGS. 5B and 5C, the retaining clip 630 mayhave an exterior wall 794 and a stepped interior wall 796.

When the pause valve assembly 142 is assembled, the retaining clip 630may be received in the skirt cavity 412 of the lower valve body 128 suchthat the exterior wall 794 of the clip 630 is adjacent the inner skirtwall 416. The retaining clip 630 may be positioned below the sealingmember 120 c positioned under the shelf 404 of the lower valve body 128.The inner diameter of the retaining clip 630 may be slightly larger thanthe outer diameter of the shuttle valve 134 to permit water to reach thesealing member 120 c and press the sealing member 120 c against theshelf 404, thereby creating a faster or stronger seal than in theabsence of water.

Compared to embodiments that include a shuttle retainer 130, when thepause valve assembly 142 includes a retaining clip 630, the base 334 anda lower portion of the body 332 of the shuttle valve 134 may be receivedin the skirt cavity 412 of the lower valve body 128 instead of in thecavity 298 of the shuttle retainer 130. When fluid is flowing into thehandle 100 during either irrigate mode or pause mode, it flows into theskirt cavity 412 of the lower valve body 128 instead of the cavity 298of the shuttle retainer 130.

During irrigate mode, when the pause valve assembly 142 is placed in anon or open position and the shuttle valve 134 is positioned towards thelid 118, the base 334 of the shuttle valve 134 may be blocked fromadvancing too far by contact with the interior wall 796 of the retainingclip 630.

With reference to FIGS. 32 and 33, in some embodiments, the pause valveassembly may also include a securing clip 631 to secure the sealingmember 120 c, e.g., U-cup, in position. For example, the securing clip631 may be formed of a high strength and/or rigid material, such asmetal, and include a support prongs. In one example, the securing clip631 is a metal star washer. The increased rigidity and strength of themetal provides additional support for the sealing member 120 c to helpensure it remains in position, as the valve 134 moves relative thereto.

In some embodiments, and with reference to FIGS. 23A and 23B, the poppetassembly is incorporated into the valve base to form an integrated valvebase 638, which may help decrease handle 100 manufacturing costs and/ortime by reducing the number of component parts. Oral irrigator handles100 that include an integrated valve base 638 have a similar design,construction, function, assembly, and operation as those described abovewith the following exceptions.

The integrated valve base 638 is configured to selectively disconnectfluid flow from the hose 108 to the chamber 124. The integrated valvebase 638 may include a poppet assembly connected to an elongated barbedtip 928 by stacked concentric discs 938, 940. The poppet assembly 636may include a cap 612, including a recessed center portion 813,connected to a poppet support plate 816 by a poppet neck 818. An annularplatform 814 may encircle the neck 818 above the poppet support plate816. The cap 812 and annular platform 814 are generally sized and shapedto be received in the shuttle valve 134. The poppet support plate 816includes an upper surface 820 and a plurality of support features 824extending outwardly from the platform 814. A flow path 826 may bedefined between two adjacent but spatially separated support features824. A sealing member 120 d may be seated around the poppet neck 818between the cap 812 and platform 814.

The upper disc 938 may have a smaller diameter than the bottom disc 940such that a first surface 937 of the bottom disc 940 is exposed and isavailable to interface with the skirt 408 of the lower valve body 128.

An extension ledge 966 positioned between the bottom disc 940 and thebarbed tip 928 may help maintain the integrated valve base 638 in adesired location in the handle 100. The extension ledge 966 may includea plurality of radially extending arms 967, each of which may have a lip968 that is shaped to interface with a ledge 150 a, 150 b of the firstand/or second shell 114, 116.

The integrated valve base 638 defines a flow cavity 930 from the barbedtip 928 through to the top surface 932 of the upper disc 938. The barbedtip 928 may include one or more gripping components 936 that enhance theconnection between the integrated valve base 638 and the hose 108.

When the handle 100 is assembled, the cap 812, and the sealing member120 d positioned around the poppet neck 818, of the poppet assembly 636may be received in the base cavity 348 of the shuttle valve 134. Thefirst surface 820 of the poppet support plate 816 may be positionedbelow and adjacent to the bottom surface 346 of the base 334 of theshuttle valve 134 and, if present, below and adjacent to the second end292 of the shuttle retainer 130.

The poppet support plate 816 and upper disc 938 of the integrated valvebase 638 are received in the skirt cavity 412 of the lower valve body128. The outer diameter of the bottom disc 940 of the integrated valvebase 638 may be approximately the same as the outer diameter of theskirt 408 of the lower valve body 128 such that when the top surface 937of the bottom disc 940 is positioned under the skirt 408, the outerskirt wall 414 may be flush with an outer surface 941 of the bottom disc940. The barbed tip 928 of the integrated valve base 638 may be receivedin the barb aperture 442 of the base collar 140.

To assemble the swivel assembly 143, the barbed tip 428 of theintegrated valve base 638 is received in the barb aperture 442 of thebase collar 140. Ledges 150 a, 150 b of the shells 114, 116 may bepositioned beneath the bottom disc 840 such that the lips 968 of thearms 967 rest on the ledges 150 a, 150 b.

During irrigate mode, fluid can flow from the hose 108 through the flowcavity 930 in the integrated valve base 638, through the flow path 826between support features 824 of the poppet support plate 816, into thecavity 298 of the shuttle retainer 130 (or the skirt cavity 412 of thelower valve body 128 in embodiments having a retaining clip 630), intothe base cavity 348 of the shuttle valve 134, and into the flow lumen342 of the shuttle valve 134.

In some embodiments, the oral agent chamber may be connected to the tip,rather than the handle. FIGS. 24A-24C illustrate an example of a tip 550including an integrated chamber 568. These embodiments allow a user touse oral hygiene agent with substantially any oral irrigator.

In one example, the tip 550 may include an upper portion 552 and a lowerportion 564 that connect together, e.g., via threading, snap fit, or thelike. The upper portion 552 may include a body 556 positioned between atip outlet 554 and a skirt 560. A tip channel 558 a may be definedthrough the upper portion 552 and may permit the passage of fluid. Acavity 562 for receiving the lower portion 564 may be defined in theskirt 560 and may include engagement features 574 a, such as threads,for securing the lower portion 564.

The lower portion 564 may include a chamber body 566 connected to a stem570, which terminates in a tip inlet 572. Positioning the chamber body566 above the stem 570 helps permit the stem 570 to be configured toeasily engage with the top end of many different designs or styles oforal irrigator handles.

As in the upper portion 552, a tip channel 558 b may be defined throughthe stem 570 from the tip inlet 572 to the chamber body 566.

The chamber body 566 may define a chamber 568. The chamber 568 may besized and shaped to receive an oral hygiene agent. For example, thediameter of the chamber 568 may be greater than the diameter of thechannels 558 a, 558 b. One or more ribs 569 may be formed on an innerwall 582 of the chamber 568 to help prevent an oral hygiene agent fromadhering to the wall 582 and to help permit fluid to flow around theagent.

Engagement features 574 b, such as threads, may be formed on an outerwall 584 of the chamber body 566. The engagement features 574 b may becomplementary to the engagement features 574 a of the upper portion 552such that the features 574 a, 574 b can connect and help secure theupper portion 552 to the lower portion 564.

One or more of a screen 576, screen support 578, and sealing member 580may be seated in the upper portion 552 above the chamber 568 when theupper portion 552 is connected to the lower portion 564. The screen 576may help prevent large particles from an agent in the chamber 568 fromclogging the tip channel 558 a or tip outlet 554.

The sealing member 580 may be, for example, an O-ring or U-cup and mayhelp provide a fluid-tight seal between the upper and lower portions552, 564.

In other embodiments, the chamber 568 may be defined in both the upperand lower portions 552, 564.

FIGS. 26A-32 illustrate various views of another embodiment of the oralcleansing handle 601. The handle 601 may be substantially the same tohandle 100 and any elements not specifically discussed with reference tohandle 601 may be incorporated into or the same as handle 100. Thehandle 601 may include a housing 605, a pause assembly 603, a latchassembly 607, and a lid 609, each of which may be similar to the likefeatures of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1A-5C.

With respect the housing 605, the housing 605 may include a differentfront or first shell 611. With reference to FIG. 26C, the front shell611 may include a latch support cavity 616 that receives and housesportions of the latch assembly 607 and a latch guide 615 that guides thecatch 212 as it moves relative to the handle housing. Specifically, thefront shell 611 may include an upper rib 618 defined towards the top endof the shell 611 and extending outwards from the interior surface of theshell. A latch rib 617 extends parallel to the upper rib 618 and may beconnected to the upper rib 618 by one or more connection regions, whichhelp to increase the rigidity of the ribs 617, 618. The latch rib 617and upper rib 618 may extend across a substantial portion of the widthof the front shell 611. Additionally, a bottom rib 619 a, 619 b may bepositioned below the latch rib 617 and extend along a portion for of theshell width. In one embodiment, the bottom rib 619 a, 619 b may bebroken into two ribs 619 a, 619 b formed on adjacent sides of the buttonaperture 152. The latch rib 617 extends across the width of the buttonaperture 152, whereas the bottom rib 619 a, 619 b extends only partiallyinto the width of the button aperture 152. In this manner, the buttonaperture 152 may have a full opening on the outer side of the frontshell 611, but be partially obstructed by the ribs formed from theinterior surface. When assembled, the latch cavity 616 receives thelatch 180, 625, such that the latch body sits on the bottom rib 619 a,619 b and the latch rib 617 extends over the top surface of the latch180, 625.

With continued reference to FIG. 26C, the latch guide 615 is formed bythe latch rib 617 and optionally the upper rib 618. The latch guide 615acts to direct the catch 212 of the latch assembly during opening andclosing of the lid 609. The latch guide 615 allows the catch 212 to movemore smoothly as the user opens and closes the lid, as it acts to definea track or guide for the latch movement.

With reference to FIG. 27, the handle 601 may also include a differentagent housing as compared to the one shown in FIGS. 13A-13B. In the FIG.27 embodiment, the agent housing 617 defines an agent chamber 673 whichis configured similar to chamber 226 to receive tablet 590. The agentchamber 673 receives fluid via the chamber inlet 675 defined through abottom wall thereof. Additionally, the agent housing 671 may include aspacing groove 677 defined on an outer surface thereof. The spacinggroove 677 may be an annular groove that is aligned with the location ofthe latch, and provides additional lateral movement space for the latchassembly as a user opens and closes the lid. The spacing groove 677allows the chamber 673 to have a sufficiently large diameter toaccommodate the tablet 590, while allowing for adequate movement of thelatch assembly, without increasing the overall diameter of the handle601.

The latch assembly 621 and lid 619 of the handle 601 may include variedfeature as compared to the latch assembly and lid of FIGS. 1A-24B, eachare discussed in turn.

With reference to FIGS. 28-29B, the latch assembly 621 includes a button110, a latch 625, and a biasing element or spring 452. In someembodiments, the button 110 and the spring 452 may be the same as thosein FIGS. 8A and 8B. However, the latch 625 may be varied. For example,the latch 625 may include a securing head 635 extending outwards from afirst end of the latch 625 and arms 627 a, 627 b extending from theopposite side. The securing head 635 is configured to secure the button110 and may include securing elements, such as securing prongs 637 thatact to help retain the latch 625 within the button aperture 164. Buttonstops 639 may be formed on each sidewall of the securing head 635 tolimit motion of the button 110 relative to the securing head 635,ensuring that the user force is fully transmitted to the latch 625. Acatch aperture 633 may be defined through the top surface of thesecuring head 635 of the latch 625 with a catch slide 641 surface beingangled or sloped from the top surface towards the bottom surface of thelatch 625 at a first end of the latch walls defining the catch aperture633. The slope of the catch slide 641 is meant to assist the latch catchas it extends through the latch 625 and prevent the latch catch fromcatching too soon.

With reference to FIG. 29B, a catch seat 643 is defined on a bottomsurface of the latch 625 and extends downwards from the bottom surface.The catch seat 643 may be formed as a protrusion and configured toengage the catch. In one embodiment, the catch slide 641 slopes down andintegrally forms the catch seat 641. The latch 625 may be formed in avariety of manners, but in one example, the latch 625 may be formed viaa metal injection molding process.

With reference to FIGS. 29A and 29 b, the latch arms 627 a, 627 b may bemirror images of one another and may include engagement ends 629 a, 629b, which may be defined as engagement faces, that engage with the spring452 to causes the spring to flex and deform when the latch is activatedby a user, similar to as described above with respect to latch 180.

With reference to FIGS. 30 and 31, the lid 609 may be substantiallysimilar to lid 118. However, in this example, the catch 649, whichengages the latch 625, may include a different shape and optionally maybe formed via metal injection molding as compared to a stamped metalprocess. The catch 649 may be secured or integrally formed with the lid609. In one embodiment, the catch 649 is secured to the lid 609 via acatch housing 655 that extends downwards from the lid 609 and the catchis received therein. Extending downwards from the catch housing 655, thecatch 649 may have a generally “hook” shape with a bottom end 651 of thecatch 649 turning upwards and defining a catch seat 653. The catch seat653 may be substantially planar and be defined on a surfaceperpendicular to the length of extension of the catch 649.

Hose Swivel

During use, as the user moves the handle 100 into different angles andpositions to access different areas of the mouth, the hose 108 canrotate freely relative to the handle 100 to remain free from tangles,bends, or kinks while maintaining a desired handle 100 orientation. Inparticular, as the user moves the handle 100 to different orientations,the hose 108 can rotate at its connection to the handle 100 ascomponents of the handle 100 rotate within and relative to the housing102. For example, the valve base 138 may be ultrasonically welded to theskirt 408 of the lower valve body 128 such that rotation of the hose 108attached to the barbed tip 428 of the valve base 138 rotates the valvebase 138, poppet assembly 136 if present, shuttle valve 134, retainingring 132, and lower valve body 128 within and relative to the housing102. In some embodiments, the materials of some or all of the basecollar 140, valve base 138, shuttle valve 134, retaining ring 132, andlower valve body 128 are selected to be low-friction so as to introduceminimal to no drag.

CONCLUSION

All directional references (e.g., upper, lower, upward, downward, left,right, leftward, rightward, top, bottom, above, below, vertical,horizontal, clockwise, and counterclockwise) are only used foridentification purposes to aid the reader's understanding of theembodiments of the present invention, and do not create limitations,particularly as to the position, orientation, or use of the inventionunless specifically set forth in the claims. Joinder references (e.g.,attached, coupled, connected, joined, and the like) are to be construedbroadly and may include intermediate members between a connection ofelements and relative movement between elements. As such, joinderreferences do not necessarily infer that two elements are directlyconnected and in fixed relation to each other.

The above specification, examples and data provide a completedescription of the structure and use of exemplary embodiments of theinvention as defined in the claims. Although various embodiments of theclaimed invention have been described above with a certain degree ofparticularity, or with reference to one or more individual embodiments,those skilled in the art could make numerous alterations to thedisclosed embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of theclaimed invention. Other embodiments are therefore contemplated. It isintended that all matter contained in the above description and shown inthe accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative only ofparticular embodiments and not limiting. Changes in detail or structuremay be made without departing from the basic elements of the inventionas defined in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An oral irrigator comprising: a reservoir; a basesupporting the reservoir and including a pump fluidly connected to thereservoir; a handle positioned external the base and in fluidcommunication with the pump via a hose; and a unidirectional valvepositioned external the base to seal fluid from flowing from adownstream side of the valve toward the pump.
 2. The oral irrigator ofclaim 1, wherein the valve is positioned downstream of the hose.
 3. Theoral irrigator of claim 1, wherein the valve is positioned within thehandle.
 4. The oral irrigator of claim 3, wherein the handle defines aninternal chamber for receiving a tablet, and the valve is positionedupstream of the tablet to prevent fluid intermixed with the tablet fromflowing into the hose.
 5. The oral irrigator of claim 1, wherein thehandle includes a housing defining a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. 6.The oral irrigator of claim 5, wherein the valve is positioneddownstream of the fluid inlet of the housing.
 7. The oral irrigator ofclaim 5, wherein the valve is positioned within the housing between thefluid inlet and the fluid outlet.
 8. The oral irrigator of claim 5,further comprising a tip coupled to the fluid outlet of the housing. 9.The oral irrigator of claim 1, wherein the valve includes a body, afirst flap extending inwardly from the body, and a second flap extendinginwardly from the body toward the first flap.
 10. The oral irrigator ofclaim 9, wherein the first flap and the second flap seal together uponapplication of a fluid force toward the reservoir.
 11. An oral irrigatorcomprising: a reservoir; a base supporting the reservoir and including apump assembly fluidly connected to the reservoir, the pump assemblyincluding a valve assembly positioned within the base; a handlepositioned external the base and in fluid communication with the pumpvia a hose; and a one-way valve positioned external the base to inhibitfluid from flowing from a downstream side of the valve toward the pumpassembly.
 12. The oral irrigator of claim 11, wherein the valve ispositioned downstream of the hose.
 13. The oral irrigator of claim 11,wherein the valve is positioned within the handle.
 14. The oralirrigator of claim 13, wherein the handle defines an internal chamberfor receiving a tablet, and the valve is positioned upstream of thetablet to prevent fluid intermixed with the tablet from flowing into thehose.
 15. The oral irrigator of claim 11, wherein the handle includes ahousing defining a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet.
 16. The oralirrigator of claim 15, wherein the valve is positioned downstream of thefluid inlet of the housing.
 17. The oral irrigator of claim 15, whereinthe valve is positioned within the housing between the fluid inlet andthe fluid outlet.
 18. The oral irrigator of claim 15, further comprisinga tip coupled to the fluid outlet of the housing.
 19. The oral irrigatorof claim 11, wherein the valve includes a body, a first flap extendinginwardly from the body, and a second flap extending inwardly from thebody toward the first flap.
 20. The oral irrigator of claim 19, whereinthe first flap and the second flap seal together upon application of afluid force toward the reservoir.